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Behaviour profiles after tuberculous meningitis

J W Wait1, J F Schoeman

  • 1Department of Psychology, Stellenboch University, Republic of South Africa.

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|August 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children recovering from tuberculous meningitis (TBM) often exhibit long-term behavioral issues, including anxiety, depression, and attention deficits. Stage III TBM patients show more severe social and conduct problems than Stage II survivors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Child Psychology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a severe infection with potential long-term neurological and behavioral sequelae in survivors.
  • Understanding the specific behavioral profiles of TBM survivors is crucial for targeted interventions and support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and characterize the behavioral outcomes in children who have recovered from TBM.
  • To compare the behavioral profiles between children with different stages of TBM (Stage II vs. Stage III) at the time of diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 74 children who recovered from TBM was evaluated.
  • Neurological examinations and a psychometric test battery, including the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6-18), were administered.
  • Intellectual assessment and behavioral evaluations were conducted.

Main Results:

  • Elevated mean scores on CBCL/6-18 scales indicated significant problems with anxiety, depression, attention, social relationships, and disruptive behavior.
  • Stage III TBM patients exhibited significantly higher scores for social problems, disruptive behavior, and rule-breaking behavior compared to Stage II patients.
  • Conduct problems, attention-deficit/hyperactivity issues, and affective problems were more pronounced in Stage III survivors.

Conclusions:

  • TBM survivors, particularly those with Stage III disease, face a high risk of long-term behavioral disinhibition and internalized emotional disorders.
  • Over 10% of TBM survivors may experience these behavioral complications, necessitating ongoing monitoring and support.
  • Behavioral assessment should be an integral part of the long-term follow-up care for TBM survivors.

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